Landscaping business combines art and practicality

Friday

Sep 25, 2009 at 12:01 AMSep 25, 2009 at 7:41 PM

Mulch and art may not seem a likely match, but one young artist could tell you that they fit quite well together. Manito’s Artistic Landscape, owned by Renita Holstlaw, offers a unique combination of the usual landscaping products, like mulch, soil and rocks, and life-size sculptures that are hand-painted by 19-year-old Colin Abernathy of Pekin. Abernathy began painting for Holstlaw about four months ago at the suggestion of his aunt, he said. His first project was a dragon, roughly the size of a small pony and painted in brilliant red and gold.

Tara Mattimoe

Mulch and art may not seem a likely match, but one young artist could tell you that they fit quite well together.

Manito’s Artistic Landscape, owned by Renita Holstlaw, offers a unique combination of the usual landscaping products, like mulch, soil and rocks, and life-size sculptures that are hand-painted by 19-year-old Colin Abernathy of Pekin.

Abernathy began painting for Holstlaw about four months ago at the suggestion of his aunt, he said. His first project was a dragon, roughly the size of a small pony and painted in brilliant red and gold.

When Holstlaw saw the dragon, she asked Abernathy to come work for her on a full-time basis, she said.

Holstlaw is grateful that Abernathy has lent his talents to her business, she said, and so far it’s been a good partnership.

“‘Blessing’ comes to mind. I’m just really fortunate to have such a fresh young talent. And his work is so unique,” she said.

Abernathy said he enjoys his job and working with Holstlaw as well. “It’s almost more like a friendship. It’s real easy to come in, I enjoy it. It’s fun, and it’s always different.”

Abernathy said he usually prefers to paint in a stylized method.

“I personally go more for the artsy look rather than realistic,” he said. Ideas for painting styles can come from anywhere, he said — he once got an idea from a frosted cake. When the piece does call for realism, he said, he looks the animal up on the computer and prints out pictures so he can get it right.

The only art training that Abernathy can claim is two years of high school art classes, but his talent is evident in the numerous sculptures he has painted since he started working for Holstlaw in May.

Horses, elk, bears, gorillas, dragons, tigers, winged horses and more have been brought to life under Abernathy’s brush. The Artistic Landscape grounds are littered with all kinds of metal sculptures, creating a zoo of frozen creatures.

“Hundreds and hundreds of people just come in and look,” Holstlaw said. “These things pull them off the street.”

Prices range from $30 to $3,400, Holstlaw said, and sculptures can weigh anywhere from 5 to 300 pounds.

Holstlaw enjoys including the sculptures in her merchandise, she said, she also sees them as a way to transform her business from a seasonal to year-round operation.

“The landscaping supplies are what carry us and take care of our overhead. But now I’m trying to move more into this,” Holstlaw said, gesturing toward Abernathy’s studio area. “We’re evolving.”

Abernathy said that he plans to go to Illinois Central College for his general credits and then transfer to Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Ga., majoring in architecture and minoring in interior design.

“Painting is kind of a passion,” he said “but architecture is something I can fall back on and I enjoy.

"I know some struggling artist types. I have a really supportive family, but I want to be able to pay my bills.”